System for filling lpg vehicle with lpg using auxiliary bombe

ABSTRACT

A system for filling an LPG vehicle with LPG using an auxiliary bombe is provided. The system may be configured for easily filling a main bombe with LPG even in the hot season (summertime) or the like during which the outside temperature rapidly rises, by using an auxiliary bombe in addition to using the main bombe. The system may also be capable of always smoothly refilling the main bombe with LPG by moving a portion of the LPG in the main bombe to the auxiliary bombe, when the pressure in the main bombe is higher than the LPG filling pressure of a filling gun in the hot season during which the outside temperature rapidly rises, so that the pressure in the main bombe becomes lower than the filling pressure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No.10-2016-0095133 filed on Jul. 27, 2016, the entire contents of which isincorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system for filling a liquefiedpetroleum gas (LPG) vehicle with LPG using an auxiliary bombe. Moreparticularly, it relates to a system for filling an LPG vehicle with LPGusing an auxiliary bombe, which is configured for filling a main bombewith LPG even in the hot season (summertime) or the like during whichthe outside temperature rapidly rises, by using an auxiliary bombe inaddition to using the main bombe.

Description of Related art

As illustrated in FIG. 7, a process of filling an LPG vehicle generallyincludes a step of operating a filling pump 2 of a gas station, a stepof sending LPG to a filling gun 3 from an LPG reservoir 1 of the gasstation by the operation of the filling pump 2, and a step of filling anLPG bombe of the vehicle with LPG by the LPG filling pressure of thefilling gun 3.

However, the filling of LPG may be impossible when the pressure in theLPG bombe of the vehicle is higher than an LPG filling pressure in thehot season during which the outside temperature rapidly rises.

That is, when the pressure in the LPG bombe of the vehicle is higherthan the LPG filling pressure, a check valve integrated with an excessflow valve is not opened. For this reason, it is impossible to fill theLPG bombe with LPG from the filling gun.

For example, the pressure (e.g. 16.5 bar) in the LPG bombe of thevehicle becomes higher than the LPG filling pressure (16.3 bar=8.3 bar,which is the pressure in the LPG reservoir of the gas station, +8.0 bar,which is the LPG pumping pressure resulting from the operation of thefilling pump) of the filling gun in the hot season in which theatmospheric temperature is equal to or higher than about 40° C., therebypreventing the opening of the check valve integrated with the excessflow valve. For this reason, it is impossible to fill the LPG bombe withLPG from the filling gun.

The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section isonly for enhancement of understanding of the general background of theinvention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form ofsuggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to aperson skilled in the art.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various aspects of the present invention are directed to providing asystem for filling an LPG vehicle with LPG using an auxiliary bombe,which is configured for continuously smoothly refilling a main bombewith LPG, by installing an auxiliary bombe in a vehicle in addition tothe main bombe, and by moving a portion of the LPG in the main bombe tothe auxiliary bombe, when the pressure in the main bombe is higher thanthe LPG filling pressure of a filling gun in the hot season during whichan outside temperature rapidly rises, so that the pressure in the mainbombe becomes lower than the filling pressure.

In an exemplary embodiment, a system for filling an LPG vehicle with LPGusing an auxiliary bombe includes main and auxiliary bombes mounted inan LPG vehicle, a fuel transfer line connected between the main bombeand auxiliary bombe, a first solenoid valve mounted on the fuel transferline so as be openable and closable, an internal pressure rising meansmounted in the auxiliary bombe to increase an temperature and a pressurein the auxiliary bombe, and a controller that controls opening andclosing of the first solenoid valve.

The system may further include a first pressure sensor for detecting apressure in the main bombe, and a second pressure sensor for detectingthe pressure in the auxiliary bombe.

The internal pressure rising means may be an auxiliary fuel pump mountedin the auxiliary bombe to press LPG.

The internal pressure rising means may be a heater mounted in theauxiliary bombe to increase the temperature in the auxiliary bombe.

When a pressure in the main bombe is higher than a reference fillingpressure, or when the pressure in the auxiliary bombe, rising along withoperation of the internal pressure rising means, is higher than thepressure in the main bombe, the first solenoid valve may be opened bythe controller.

The main bombe may be mounted on an underbody located at a rear bottomof a vehicle body, and the auxiliary bombe may be mounted on a luggageroom floor panel in a vehicle interior.

In another exemplary embodiment, a system for filling an LPG vehiclewith LPG using an auxiliary bombe includes main and auxiliary bombesmounted in an LPG vehicle, a fuel transfer line connected between themain bombe and auxiliary bombe, a first solenoid valve mounted on thefuel transfer line so as be openable and closable, an auxiliary fuelpump mounted in the auxiliary bombe, a second solenoid valve mounted toa discharge side of the auxiliary fuel pump, the second solenoid valvebeing opened when LPG is directly supplied to an engine, and acontroller that controls opening and closing of the first and secondsolenoid valves.

The system may further include a first pressure sensor for detecting apressure in the main bombe, and a second pressure sensor for detecting apressure in the auxiliary bombe.

When a pressure in the main bombe is higher than a reference fillingpressure, the first solenoid valve may be opened by the controller.

An outlet line of the second solenoid valve may be connected to a fuelsupply line through which fuel is supplied from the main bombe to theengine.

The second solenoid valve may be opened in response to a control signalof the controller when the engine is driven at a low load.

The second solenoid valve may be opened in response to a control signalof the controller in the event of an emergency situation where fuel inthe main bombe is not pumped to the engine.

The main bombe may be mounted on an underbody located at a rear bottomof a vehicle body, and the auxiliary bombe may be mounted on a luggageroom floor panel in a vehicle interior.

Other aspects and exemplary embodiments of the invention are discussedinfra.

It is understood that the term “vehicle” or “vehicular” or other similarterm as used herein is inclusive of motor vehicles in general such aspassenger automobiles including sports utility vehicles (SUV), buses,trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including a variety ofboats and ships, aircraft, and the like, and includes hybrid vehicles,electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-poweredvehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g. fuels derived fromresources other than petroleum). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicleis a vehicle that has two or more sources of power, for example bothgasoline-powered and electric-powered vehicles.

The above and other features of the invention are discussed infra.

The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have other featuresand advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in moredetail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, andthe following Detailed Description, which together serve to explaincertain principles of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are diagrams illustrating a system for filling an LPGvehicle with LPG using an auxiliary bombe according to various exemplaryembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the system forfilling an LPG vehicle with LPG using an auxiliary bombe according tothe various exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a system for filling an LPG vehiclewith LPG using an auxiliary bombe according to a various exemplaryembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the system forfilling an LPG vehicle with LPG using an auxiliary bombe according tothe various exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view schematically illustrating positions at which a mainbombe and an auxiliary bombe used in an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention are mounted; and

FIG. 7 is a view schematically illustrating a process of filling an LPGvehicle.

It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarilyto scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of variouspreferred features illustrative of the basic principles of theinvention. The specific design features of the present invention asdisclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions,orientations, locations, and shapes will be determined in part by theparticular intended application and use environment.

In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent partsof the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter reference will now be made in detail to various embodimentsof the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and described below. While the invention will bedescribed in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it will beunderstood that present description is not intended to limit theinvention to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the inventionis intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but alsovarious alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments,which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate a system for filling an LPG vehicle withLPG using an auxiliary bombe according to various exemplary embodimentsof the present invention.

The systems for filling an LPG vehicle illustrated in FIG.1 and FIG. 2have the same configuration, but they differ from each other in that aninternal pressure rising means mounted in an auxiliary bombe isillustrated as an auxiliary fuel pump in FIG. 1 whereas it isillustrated as a heater in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, reference numeral 10 refers to a main bombe whichis the main fuel tank of an LPG vehicle.

When the pressure in the main bombe 10 is higher than the fillingpressure of an LPG filling gun in the hot season during which an outsidetemperature rises, it is impossible to fill the main bombe 10 with LPG.

To resolve the phenomenon wherein it is impossible to refill the mainbombe 10 with LPG, an auxiliary bombe 20 is further mounted in thevehicle together with the main bombe 10 in an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the main bombe 10 is mounted on an underbody30 which is located at the rear bottom of the vehicle body and is anadvantageous place for increasing the capacity of the bombe, and theauxiliary bombe 20 is mounted on a luggage room floor panel 32 in whichvariation in temperature in the bombe is small.

Here, the main bombe 10 is connected to the auxiliary bombe 20 such thatthey fluidically-communicate with each other through a fuel transferline 12. A first solenoid valve 14 is mounted on the fuel transfer line12 to block or allow the transfer of fuel.

In the instant case, the pressure in each of the bombes 10 and 20 mustbe measured to transfer LPG between the main bombe 10 and the auxiliarybombe 20.

To this end, a first pressure sensor 16 for detecting the pressure inthe main bombe 10 is mounted in the main bombe 10, and a second pressuresensor 18 for detecting the pressure in the auxiliary bombe 20 ismounted in the auxiliary bombe 20.

The first pressure sensor 16 is preferably included in a regulator 28which is mounted between a fuel supply line 24 and a fuel return line26.

For reference, the regulator 28 controls the flow rate and pressure offuel when the LPG in the main bombe 10 is supplied to an engine 22through the fuel supply line 24, and when unburned fuel is returned tothe main bombe 10 through the fuel return line 26.

When the fuel in the main bombe 10 is supplied to the engine 22 throughthe fuel supply line 24, the pressure of the fuel passing through theregulator 28 is detected by the first pressure sensor included in theregulator 28, and the detected fuel pressure is transmitted, as thepressure signal in the main bombe 10, to a controller 38.

In addition, since the pressure in the auxiliary bombe 20, which isdetected by the second pressure sensor 18, is transmitted as thepressure signal therein to the controller 38, the controller 38 controlsthe opening and closing of the first solenoid valve 14 based on thesignals detected by the first and second pressure sensors 16 and 18.

When the pressure in the main bombe 10 is higher than a referencefilling pressure, or when the pressure in the auxiliary bombe 20, whichrises along with the operation of the internal pressure rising means, ishigher than the pressure in the main bombe 10, the controller 38 causesthe first solenoid valve 14 to be opened. In other cases, the controller38 causes the first solenoid valve 14 to be closed.

Meanwhile, to transfer LPG from the main bombe 10 to the auxiliary bombe20 and then to retransfer the LPG from the auxiliary bombe 20 to themain bombe 10, the pressure of the fuel of the auxiliary bombe 20 or thepressure therein must be increased.

To this end, the internal pressure rising means is mounted in theauxiliary bombe 20 to increase the temperature and pressure in theauxiliary bombe 20.

The internal pressure rising means may be an auxiliary fuel pump 34which is mounted in the auxiliary bombe 20 to press the LPG therein, ormay be a heater 36 which is mounted in the auxiliary bombe 20 toincrease the temperature and pressure in the auxiliary bombe 20.

Hereinafter, the operation of the system for filling an LPG vehiclehaving the above configuration according to the various exemplaryembodiments of the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 3.

First, the pressure in the main bombe 10 is detected.

That is, the first pressure sensor 16 detects the pressure in the mainbombe 10, and transmits the detected signal to the controller 38.

The controller 38 compares the pressure in the main bombe 10 with areference upper limit pressure (e.g. 10 bar) (S101).

When the pressure in the main bombe 10 is lower than the reference upperlimit pressure (e.g. 10 bar) as a result of the comparison, thecontroller 38 causes the first solenoid valve 14 to be closed (S102).

In other words, when the current pressure in the main bombe 10 is lowerthan the reference upper limit pressure, the controller 38 determinesthat the pressure in the main bombe 10 is lower than an LPG fillingpressure by the filling gun, causing the first solenoid valve 14 to beclosed.

Thus, it is possible to easily refill the main bombe 10 with LPG fromthe filling gun of the gas station while the fuel is not transferredfrom the main bombe 10 to the auxiliary bombe 20 due to the closing ofthe first solenoid valve 14.

On the other hand, when the pressure in the main bombe 10 is higher thanthe reference upper limit pressure (e.g. 10 bar), the controller 38causes the first solenoid valve 14 to be opened (S103).

In other words, when the current pressure in the main bombe 10 is higherthan the reference upper limit pressure, the controller 38 determinesthat the pressure in the main bombe 10 is higher than an LPG fillingpressure by the filling gun, causing the first solenoid valve 14 to beopened.

Thus, a portion of the LPG remaining in the main bombe 10 is transferredto the auxiliary bombe 20 along the fuel transfer line 12 (S104).

In the instant case, since the main bombe 10 is mounted on the underbody30, which is located at the rear bottom of the vehicle body, in anexposed state, the pressure in the main bombe 10 is increased due toradiant heat or geothermal heat in the hot season or the like. On theother hand, since the auxiliary bombe 20 is mounted on the luggage roomfloor panel 32 in which variation in temperature in the bombe is small,the temperature and pressure in the auxiliary bombe 20 are maintained ina lower state compared to the main bombe 10.

Thus, a portion of the LPG remaining in the main bombe 10 is smoothlytransferred to the auxiliary bombe 20 along the fuel transfer line 12,thereby allowing the pressure in the main bombe 10 to be graduallydecreased.

When the pressure in the main bombe 10 is decreased, the pressure in themain bombe 10 is compared with a reference lower limit pressure (e.g. 8bar) (S105).

When the pressure in the main bombe 10 is lower than the reference lowerlimit pressure as a result of the comparison, the controller 38 causesthe first solenoid valve 14 to be closed (S106).

In other words, when the current pressure in the main bombe 10 is lowerthan the reference lower limit pressure, the controller 38 determinesthat the pressure in the main bombe 10 is lower than an LPG fillingpressure by the filling gun, causing the first solenoid valve 14 to beclosed.

Thus, it is possible to easily refill the main bombe 10 with LPG fromthe filling gun of the gas station while the fuel is not transferredfrom the main bombe 10 to the auxiliary bombe 20 due to the closing ofthe first solenoid valve 14.

Accordingly, the pressure in the main bombe 10 may be regulated to belower than the filling pressure by transferring the fuel in the mainbombe 10 to the auxiliary bombe 20. Consequently, it is possible toeasily refill the main bombe 10 with LPG.

Meanwhile, the fuel in the main bombe 10 is supplied to the engine whilethe vehicle is driven, and thus the fuel in the main bombe 10 iscontinuously consumed. In this context, it is possible to retransfer thefuel transferred to the auxiliary bombe 20 to the main bombe 10 toreplenish the main bombe 10.

Accordingly, to retransfer the fuel transferred to the auxiliary bombe20 to the main bombe 10, the pressure in the auxiliary bombe 20 mustbecome higher than the pressure in the main bombe 10.

For example, when the difference between the pressures in the main andauxiliary bombes 10 and 20 is lower than a reference pressure difference(e.g. 3 bar) while the vehicle is driven at night, namely, when thevalue obtained by subtracting the pressure in the main bombe 10 from thepressure in the auxiliary bombe 20 is lower than the reference pressuredifference, the pressure in the auxiliary bombe 20 must become higherthan the pressure in the main bombe 10 over the reference pressuredifference.

Based on the signal indicative of the pressure in the main bombe 10detected by the first pressure sensor 16 and the signal indicative ofthe pressure in the auxiliary bombe 20 detected by the second pressuresensor 18, the controller 38 determines the difference between thepressures in the main and auxiliary bombes 10 and 20, and compares thedetermined result with the reference pressure difference (S107).

When the value obtained by subtracting the pressure in the main bombe 10from the pressure in the auxiliary bombe 20 is lower than the referencepressure difference as a result of the comparison, the controller 38operates the internal pressure rising means (S108).

In the instant case, the auxiliary fuel pump 34, which is mounted as theinternal pressure rising means in the auxiliary bombe 20, may increasethe pressure in the auxiliary bombe 20 by pressing LPG. Alternatively,the heater 36, which is mounted as the internal pressure rising means inthe auxiliary bombe 20, may be operated to simultaneously increase thetemperature and pressure in the auxiliary bombe 20.

Next, the controller 38 determines the difference between the pressuresin the main and auxiliary bombes 10 and 20 again (S109). When thepressure in the auxiliary bombe 20 is determined to be higher than thepressure in the main bombe 10 over the reference pressure difference,the controller 38 causes the first solenoid valve 14 to be opened(S110).

Accordingly, the LPG transferred to the auxiliary bombe 20 isretransferred to the main bombe 10 along the fuel transfer line 12(S111).

Accordingly, since the LPG transferred to the auxiliary bombe 20 isrecirculated to the main bombe 10, it is possible to replenish the mainbombe 10 with fuel.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a system for filling an LPG vehiclewith LPG using an auxiliary bombe according to various exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

The system for filling an LPG vehicle according to the various exemplaryembodiments of the present invention is characterized in that the LPGtransferred from a main bombe 10 to an auxiliary bombe 20 may bedirectly supplied to the engine.

To resolve the phenomenon wherein it is impossible to refill the mainbombe 10 with LPG, the auxiliary bombe 20 is further mounted in vehicletogether with the main bombe 10 even in the various exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

In addition, the main bombe 10 is connected to the auxiliary bombe 20such that they fluidically-communicate with each other through a fueltransfer line 12. A first solenoid valve 14 is mounted on the fueltransfer line 12 to block or allow the transfer of fuel. When thepressure in the main bombe 10 is higher than a reference fillingpressure, the first solenoid valve 14 is opened by the control of acontroller 38.

In addition, a first pressure sensor 16 for detecting the pressure inthe main bombe 10 is mounted in the main bombe 10, and a second pressuresensor 18 for detecting the pressure in the auxiliary bombe 20 ismounted in the auxiliary bombe 20.

Similarly, the first pressure sensor 16 may be included in a regulator28 which is mounted between a fuel supply line 24 and a fuel return line26.

In the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, anauxiliary fuel pump 34 is mounted in the auxiliary bombe 20, and asecond solenoid valve 40, which is opened when LPG is directly suppliedto the engine from the discharge side of the auxiliary fuel pump 34, ismounted in the auxiliary bombe 20.

In the instant case, the outlet line of the second solenoid valve 40 isconnected to the fuel supply line 24 through which fuel is supplied fromthe main bombe 10 to the engine 22.

Accordingly, the second solenoid valve 40 is opened in response to thecontrol signal of the controller 38 when the engine is driven at a lowload (i.e., a lower load than a predetermined load amount), so that theLPG in the auxiliary bombe 20 is directly supplied to the engine throughthe fuel supply line 24.

Alternatively, the second solenoid valve 40 is opened in response to thecontrol signal of the controller 38 in the event of an emergencysituation where the fuel in the main bombe 10 is not pumped to theengine, and thus the LPG in the auxiliary bombe 20 may be directlysupplied to the engine through the fuel supply line 24.

Hereinafter, the operation of the system for filling an LPG vehiclehaving the above configuration according to the various exemplaryembodiments of the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

First, the pressure in the main bombe 10 is detected.

That is, the first pressure sensor 16 detects the pressure in the mainbombe 10, and transmits the detected signal to the controller 38.

The controller 38 compares the pressure in the main bombe 10 with areference upper limit pressure (e.g. 10 bar) (S201).

When the pressure in the main bombe 10 is lower than the reference upperlimit pressure (e.g. 10 bar) as a result of the comparison, thecontroller 38 causes the first solenoid valve 14 to be closed (S202).

In other words, when the current pressure in the main bombe 10 is lowerthan the reference upper limit pressure, the controller 38 determinesthat the pressure in the main bombe 10 is lower than an LPG fillingpressure by a filling gun, causing the first solenoid valve 14 to beclosed.

Thus, it is possible to easily refill the main bombe 10 with LPG fromthe filling gun of the gas station while the fuel is not transferredfrom the main bombe 10 to the auxiliary bombe 20 due to the closing ofthe first solenoid valve 14.

On the other hand, when the pressure in the main bombe 10 is higher thanthe reference upper limit pressure (e.g. 10 bar), the controller 38causes the first solenoid valve 14 to be opened (S203).

In other words, when the current pressure in the main bombe 10 is higherthan the reference upper limit pressure, the controller 38 determinesthat the pressure in the main bombe 10 is higher than an LPG fillingpressure by the filling gun, causing the first solenoid valve 14 to beopened.

Thus, a portion of the LPG remaining in the main bombe 10 is transferredto the auxiliary bombe 20 along the fuel transfer line 12 (S204).

In the instant case, since the main bombe 10 is mounted on an underbody30, which is located at the rear bottom of a vehicle body, in an exposedstate, the pressure in the main bombe 10 is increased due to radiantheat or geothermal heat in the hot season or the like. On the otherhand, since the auxiliary bombe 20 is mounted on a luggage room floorpanel 32 in which variation in temperature in the bombe is small, thetemperature and pressure in the auxiliary bombe 20 are maintained in alower state compared to the main bombe 10.

Thus, a portion of the LPG remaining in the main bombe 10 is smoothlytransferred to the auxiliary bombe 20 along the fuel transfer line 12,thereby allowing the pressure in the main bombe 10 to be graduallydecreased.

When the pressure in the main bombe 10 is decreased, the pressure in themain bombe 10 is compared with a reference lower limit pressure (e.g. 8bar) (S205).

When the pressure in the main bombe 10 is lower than the reference lowerlimit pressure as a result of the comparison, the controller 38 causesthe first solenoid valve 14 to be closed (S206).

In other words, when the current pressure in the main bombe 10 is lowerthan the reference lower limit pressure, the controller 38 determinesthat the pressure in the main bombe 10 is lower than an LPG fillingpressure by the filling gun, thereby causing the first solenoid valve 14to be closed.

Thus, it is possible to easily refill the main bombe 10 with LPG fromthe filling gun of the gas station while the fuel is not transferredfrom the main bombe 10 to the auxiliary bombe 20 due to the closing ofthe first solenoid valve 14.

In the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, when theengine is driven at a low load, the fuel transferred from the main bombe10 to the auxiliary bombe 20 is directly supplied to the engine withoutbeing retransferring to the main bombe 10.

To this end, the controller 38 determines that the engine is driven at alow load (S207).

When the engine is determined to be driven at a low load, the controller38 causes the auxiliary fuel pump 34 mounted in the auxiliary bombe 20to be operated (S208), and causes the second solenoid valve 40 mountedto the outlet side of the auxiliary bombe 20 to be opened (S209).

Accordingly, since the LPG in the auxiliary bombe 20 is directlysupplied to and burned in the engine 22 along the fuel supply line 24,it is possible to consume the fuel transferred from the main bombe 10 tothe auxiliary bombe 20 (S210).

Meanwhile, in the event of an emergency situation (e.g., the consumptionof the fuel in the main bombe, the failure of the fuel pump in the mainbombe, or the like) when LPG is transferred from the main bomb 10 to theauxiliary bombe 20, the controller 38 checks the detection signal of thesecond pressure sensor 18 mounted in the auxiliary bombe 20.

Next, when the pressure detected by the second pressure sensor is equalto or greater than a predetermined level, the controller 38 determinesthat LPG is present in the auxiliary bombe 20, causing the secondsolenoid valve 40 mounted to the outlet side of the auxiliary bombe 20to be opened.

Accordingly, since the LPG in the auxiliary bombe 20 is directlysupplied to and burned in the engine 22 along the fuel supply line 24,the vehicle may be driven in the event of an emergency situation (e.g.,the consumption of the fuel in the main bombe, the failure of the fuelpump in the main bombe, or the like).

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has thefollowing effects.

First, when the pressure in a main bombe becomes higher than the LPGfilling pressure of a filling gun in the hot season or the like duringwhich the outside temperature rapidly rises, a portion of the LPG in themain bombe is moved to an auxiliary bombe so that the pressure in themain bombe becomes lower than the filling pressure. Consequently, it ispossible to continuously refill the main bombe with LPG.

Secondly, when the pressure in the main bombe is regulated to be lowerthan the filling pressure, the main bombe can be refilled with fuel byretransferring the fuel, which is transferred to the auxiliary bombe,back to the main bombe.

Thirdly, it is possible to use all of the fuel remaining in theauxiliary bombe by directly supplying the fuel transferred to theauxiliary bombe to an engine when the engine is driven at a low load.

Lastly, since the fuel transferred to the auxiliary bombe is directlysupplied to the engine in the event of an emergency situation, such asthe consumption of all of the fuel in the main bombe or the failure of afuel pump in the main bombe, it is possible to cope with an emergency.

For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appendedclaims, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “up”, “down”,“upper”, “lower”, “upwards”, “downwards”, “front”, “rear”, “back”,“inside”, “outside”, “inwardly”, “outwardly”, “interior”, “exterior”,“inner”, “outer”, “forwards”, and “backwards” are used to describefeatures of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions ofsuch features as displayed in the figures.

The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in orderto explain certain principles of the invention and their practicalapplication, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to make andutilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as wellas various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended thatthe scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto andtheir equivalents.

1-6. (canceled)
 7. A system for filling a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)vehicle with LPG using an auxiliary bombe, comprising: a main bombe andan auxiliary bombe mounted in the LPG vehicle; a fuel transfer lineconnected between the main bombe and auxiliary bombe; a first solenoidvalve mounted on the fuel transfer line so as be openable or closable;an auxiliary fuel pump mounted in the auxiliary bombe; a second solenoidvalve mounted to a discharge side of the auxiliary fuel pump, the secondsolenoid valve being opened when LPG is directly supplied to an engine;and a controller that is configured to control opening or closing of thefirst solenoid valve and second solenoid valve.
 8. The system of claim7, further including a first pressure sensor configured for detecting apressure in the main bombe, and a second pressure sensor configured fordetecting a pressure in the auxiliary bombe.
 9. The system of claim 7,wherein when the pressure in the main bombe is higher than a referencefilling pressure, the first solenoid valve is configured to be opened bythe controller.
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein an outlet line of thesecond solenoid valve is connected to a fuel supply line through whichfuel is supplied from the main bombe to the engine.
 11. The system ofclaim 7, wherein the second solenoid valve is configured to be opened inresponse to a control signal of the controller when the engine is drivenat a lower load than a predetermined load amount.
 12. The system ofclaim 7, wherein the second solenoid valve is configured to be opened inresponse to a control signal of the controller in an emergency situationwhere fuel in the main bombe is not pumped to the engine.
 13. The systemof claim 7, wherein the main bombe is mounted on an underbody located ata rear bottom of a vehicle body, and the auxiliary bombe is mounted on aluggage room floor panel in a vehicle interior.